Great is our Lord, and of great power; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5 KJV.

Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:14-15 ESV.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming. 1 Peter 1:13.

We come to the Book of Proverbs where is contrasted wisdom with foolishness. Most of it is written by Solomon, son of David, and now king of Israel. He asked for a discerning heart when God told him He would give him whatever he wanted. Wisdom. Amazing sayings throughout this book of Scripture help us to see more clearly the world and its choices good and bad. Proverbs 1: The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair…The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction…v. 1-3, 7. Can we sit here for a moment…fools despise wisdom and instruction…why is the world the way it is? My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us; we will all share the loot” – my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. v. 10-19. Does that sound like today and every age of mankind? Do we cry out for help? Everything we need Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, has already given for pondering well and embracing His love and His truth given for understanding and hope in Him. Now wisdom speaks: Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings”…v. 20-23. We choose evil and cry out when we can’t control it. Foolishness. We suffer with our own choices and those of others intent on doing what is wrong because they have no regard for others. Repent. Only then can God pour out His thoughts to us and only then can we actually listen to the wisdom He gives for our good. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord…the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm..v. 29, 32, 33. Wisdom from God speaks and we choose whether to listen.

The world doesn’t have to be this way. Choices. We can choose God’s help. We can let Him guide us to the better way with Him. Being with Him is being on new ground that is holy and good and we need to be stretched to envision it! Open your heart to what is possible…God’s love for us.